Picture a Pacific Northwest storyteller who traded poker chips for thrillingS. Meet Anne Baines, the ex-professional poker player turned mystery novelist whose thrilling tales grip readers like a high-stakes showdown! With her sharp wit and knack for suspense, Baines crafts intricate plots in her Sam Arbichaut Mystery series and Delilah thrillers, drawing from a life as colorful as her stories.
Living in the lush Pacific Northwest with her husband and a demanding Bengal cat, Baines infuses her novels with the region’s misty, moody vibe. Her unique blend of real-world grit—honed at poker tables, show jumping arenas, and even transporting rebellious teens—makes her characters, like the levelheaded PI Sam Arbichaut, feel like old friends you’d trust in a crisis.
The Making of Anne Baines
Not much is known about Anne Baines’s early years, but her career pivot from poker pro to novelist is the stuff of legend. After years reading the tells of opponents across card tables, she channeled her knack for human behavior into writing. Her experiences navigating high-pressure situations and outsmarting rivals gave her stories an authentic edge, with protagonists who stay cool under fire. The Pacific Northwest, where she settled, became more than a backdrop—it’s practically a character, its foggy forests and rugged coasts setting the stage for her twisty mysteries.
Baines didn’t just stumble into writing; she leapt, much like she does over obstacles in show jumping. Her diverse life—part adrenaline junkie, part keen observer—shaped her ability to craft narratives that keep readers guessing until the final page.
Anne Baines’s Unforgettable Stories
Baines’s bibliography is a treasure trove of suspense. Her Sam Arbichaut Mystery series kicks off with A Perfect Alibi (2018), where former cop-turned-PI Sam investigates a murder that’s anything but routine. Readers love Sam’s relatable, human flaws and dogged determination. The series continues with Butcher’s Dozen (2018), tackling a teen’s murky kidnapping claims, and Cold Sweat (2019), where Sam unravels a stalker’s deadly web.
Then there’s the Delilah Thriller series, starting with Hunting Delilah (2011), a pulse-pounding tale of a con artist facing a serial killer. Its sequel, Chasing Delilah (2023), keeps the stakes sky-high. Baines’s style is lean and cinematic, with plots that twist like a mountain road and themes of trust, betrayal, and survival. Her poker-honed ability to read people shines through in layered characters who feel real, not cookie-cutter.
Her standalone thriller Undertow plunges readers into Kauai’s dark underbelly, proving Baines can make any setting pulse with danger. Fans praise her pacing—fast but never rushed—and her knack for crafting endings that surprise yet satisfy.
Why Anne Baines Matters
Anne Baines brings a fresh voice to the mystery genre, blending her poker-sharp instincts with a storyteller’s heart. Her novels resonate with readers who crave smart, grounded heroes and plots that mirror life’s messy complexities. By setting her stories in the Pacific Northwest, she’s carved out a niche, making the region a vivid player in modern crime fiction.
Her impact goes beyond books. Baines’s shift from poker to prose inspires anyone chasing a second act. Her stories, averaging 4+ stars on Amazon and Goodreads, have hooked a loyal fanbase, proving that even lesser-known authors can leave a mark with grit and talent.
- Key Works: Hunting Delilah (2011), A Perfect Alibi (2018), Butcher’s Dozen (2018), Cold Sweat (2019), Chasing Delilah (2023), Undertow
- Residence: Pacific Northwest
- Notable Traits: Former poker pro, show jumper, transports rebellious teens
Snag Hunting Delilah or A Perfect Alibi and dive into Anne Baines’s thrilling world of mystery—you won’t want to fold until the last page!